reticence

noun

ret·​i·​cence ˈre-tə-sən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being reticent : reserve, restraint

2

: an instance of being reticent

3

: reluctance sense 1

Synonyms of reticence

• reluctance

Examples of reticence in a Sentence

the publisher's reticence to make content available online for free

Recent Examples on the Web

Resolving Differences Challenging reticence has propelled the firm in a modern era. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026

But uptake has been slow, reflecting a broader industry-wide reticence to shell out. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026

Merz insists Germany must rebuild military capacity – a departure from decades of both German domestic and EU-wide reticence toward such a move. —Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026

But after months of relative reticence to take big swings or commit to a tank job, the Bulls made a sharp heel turn this week by offloading all but one of their expiring contracts. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reticence

noun

ret·​i·​cence ˈret-ə-sən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being reticent

a witness's reticence that was unhelpful to police

2

: an instance of being reticent

3

: reluctance